Travelling around

Last weekend I travelled from Bhagalpur, India to Vientiane, Lao PDR.  As ever, not everything went seamlessly J

First was an in-theory four hour drive from Bhagalpur to Bagdogra: we left at 0730, needing to catch a plane at 1345.  Almost immediately we needed to cross the Ganges: there's only one bridge, and many, many people in Bhagalpur were aiming for it.  Our driver, who knew the back roads, drove around for about an hour, at the end of which we'd made a gain up the road of about 500m and were considerably further forward towards the bridge!  

Impromptu traffic controllers

Some passengers in traffic jams seem to take on a traffic-control role: after we'd been stuck in traffic for 10 minutes or so two passengers from the car in front of us jumped out, grabbed bamboo sticks they happened to have handy, and started directing traffic.  They were very effective - and our driver represented to them how important it was that we made progress, so they cleared a way for us (and themselves) to get through the worst of the jam.  Once traffic was flowing again the two men put their sticks away, hopped back in the car, and drove off!

Traffic jam, with jewellery for sale

I had the front seat, while my three male colleagues shared the back.  Our driver took the opportunity, while we were waiting for traffic to clear, to draw my attention to the jewellery his wife makes.  I was impressed at his business focus, looking for a sale even as he was trying to get us to the airport as soon as possible!

Once clear of the bridge traffic thinned and we were able to pick up speed.  We still had a lot of time to make up and became Those People; the ones leaning on the horn, beeping loudly and long as we passed through each village and overtook each truck or auto.  I have new sympathy for Those People now: we only barely made our flight, and only did so because our driver was so aggressive.  Maybe most of the time Those People are actually running late rather than hullabaloos?!?

Having made Bagdogra in time I caught my flight to Delhi, waited a while, caught my flight to Bangkok, waited a while, and caught my flight to Vientiane.  It is lovely to be back in peaceful, calm Vientiane, where I know the system!!!

When travelling to Lao PDR from Brisbane I need to transit overnight in Bangkok.  The hotel I stayed at has a gym (which is very welcome!): I noticed last time that they've just started hiring out (clean) gym clothes, which is a great idea!  You can rent a whole outfit, or just the sneakers if that's all you need, and get in some exercise as you transit.  What a great idea!